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For the first time, Women and laypeople will be represented as delegates at the Synod of Bishops, where they will help Pope Francis in deciding the direction of the Catholic Church.

Kansas City voters in April approved a 3% tax on recreational marijuana revenue — 1% of which will go toward finding solutions for the unhoused population. The city's homelessness prevention coordinator says that funding will go toward street outreach and other initiatives.

The Missouri Supreme Court last week ruled against Attorney General Andrew Bailey in a fight over a proposed abortion rights amendment. Bailey had pushed to falsely inflate the estimated cost of the ballot issue, but the court ruled he did not have that power — and forced him to sign off.

In its last legislative session of the term, the Kansas City Council passed pay raises for council members and the mayor, allocated millions of dollars for 2026 World Cup preparations and created a municipal ID program. The next time the body meets in August, it will welcome seven new faces.

Fans from across the Kansas City metro and beyond are celebrating Taylor Swift's two concerts at Arrowhead Stadium this weekend with events, menu specials and more. VisitKC says the shows are expected to generate $46 million in direct spending for the local economy.

The open seat is being vacated by Lee Barnes, Jr., who is term-limited out. Voters will choose between Michael Kelley, a political newcomer, and former Hickman Mills school board member Darrell Curls.

Yarl, who was shot in early April, is recovering from his physical injuries. His mother says his mental recovery has been tough.

The undergraduate seminar, called “The Sociology of Taylor Swift,” will examine the nature of American celebrity and the singer-songwriter’s community of superfans.

Jeff Hiller, the breakout star of “Somebody Somewhere,” had grown used to playing bit parts. The show, streaming on MAX, has given him a chance to explore a deeper character.

Voters in the 6th District, which includes the Country Club Plaza, Brookside and Waldo, will choose between Dan Tarwater and Johnathan Duncan to fill the open seat during the June 20 general election.

This year’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Festival is expected to be three times bigger than last year’s. Through vendors and performances, the Cafe Cà Phê owner wants to showcase the many different cultures included in the label and help others connect with each other.

Britt Adair, a Kansas City punk musician, died suddenly May 1. As the Kansas City music community grapples with her death, musicians close to her shared what drew so many people to Adair and how much she cared for her community.